11 . Del Mar Race Track

Located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the one-mile oval track is operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and is home to San Diego horse racing every summer. Del Mar Race Track underwent a major renovation in the 1990s with the demolition and replacement of the grandstand. Del Mar Race Track's stable can house more than 1,000 horses at a time, which are often home to some of the very best race horses in the world during the Del Mar racing season. Del Mar Race Track is a major San Diego attraction and one of the most popular summer activities for local residents and San Diego visitors.

Del Mar Race Track attracts tens of thousands of visitors every summer. Del Mar Race Track gates were opened for the first time on July 3, 1937 to a crowd of more than 15,000 people with co-owner Bing Crosby there to greet them. During that era, horse racing came in a close second to Major League Baseball in popularity. In 1938 Bing Crosby recorded a song, "Where The Turf Meets the Surf," which has opened and closed each racing day at Del Mar Race Track ever since. The Del Mar Race Track has also attracted many celebrities since its early years. By 1940 the racetrack was a playground for some of Hollywood's elite,, including Pat O'Brien, Lucy and Desi Arnaz and Jimmy and Marge Durante. You can still spot celebrities at Del Mar Race Track during the summer racing season.

Del Mar Track was closed during World War II and the grandstand became a bomber tail assembly production facility. Racing returned to Del Mar when the war ended.